thursday i had taken sway into the vet and my (normally) 40 lb pit bull was down to 17 lbs -- she had been around 23 lbs for most of this year.
that was a complete shell-shock to me as just a week ago she was 23 lbs.
her physical body had been skeletal for an extended period of time now due to numerous reasons, but this drop was clearly of a significant nature as i could almost fit my thumb and index finger around the entire circumference of her neck.
she had been vomiting all night on wednesday and had most notably become very listless and withdrawn over a short period of time.
within the last month she had also started to develop a long stringy mucus that would sporadically hang from her backside after she would pee.
dr. woods thought it was either an elevation of the constant UTI's that she has, or an infection linked to a kind of pancreatitis.
unfortunately we weren't able to treat the more recent urinary tract infections because all the suggested medications via the urinalysis' were very harmful to dogs with serious liver issues.
it just seemed as though everywhere we turned it was 'between a rock and a hard place' - and that this was our reality, over and over.
they ran a full comprehensive blood panel on thursday and the next morning i got the results...
i was up early with sway and she was having a very rough time.
her walking was very labored and she could barely keep her head up for more than a few seconds.
the panel showed that it was indeed pancreatitis.
...on top of AIHA, on top of multiple in-operable liver shunts that were preventing proper absorption, on top of SIBO, on top of multiple UTI's, extreme cachexia, etc.
it also showed that her HCT had dropped to 11% (was holding in the low 20's a month ago)
we could try fluid therapy for the pancreatitis, but i was told that would dilute her blood even further.
then we are talking about blood transfusions after that...
i called dr. dodds and she spoke of sway's body just breaking down.
a million times the prior night i had fears and thoughts of what if, what to do, what to expect, can/should we continue...
after receiving the panel, consulting both doctors, being with sway and seeing the drastic shift in her well-being over the last 48 hours; i had made the heartbreaking decision to put her down.
it was scheduled for 2pm and i spent every moment laying next to her.
at 12:45pm sway passed away naturally in my bed with me talking to her and giving her kisses.
coincidentally my mom was out here on vacation at the same time, so she was with us.
i will never be able to put into words the range of emotion that ran and continues to run through my body...
rest in peace Sway, my favorite of all times.
thank you for being everything i ever wanted or needed.
the 1 being that could do no wrong; that could always brighten up my day, did it perfectly for 8+ years.
i love you forever - more than anything in the world; i'm so proud of you and i will miss you every single day.
i cannot wait until i can see you again,
and until that moment i live better having had you in my family, and having you continue on in my heart.
please watch over me as i keep trying to do what i was put here to do... God bless you Sway, you are the greatest.
>>vetnet
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3 comments:
Thinking of you and sweet Sway, she will be missed always. She is another angel at the Bridge helping the others in their battle with AIHA.
xoxox
melissa and tiggs
I'm so sorry. I didn't know Sway but this would be very difficult to deal with to say the least. RIP Sway.
I have Pit Bulls as well and I couldn't imagine.
I know this this almost 10 years old bit i just wanted to say that i am veey touched by you and sways courageous battle and immense love. Im so very sorry that you and sweet sway had to endure this. I cant imagine. Thank you for doing all you could, for not giving up on her and seeing through when most people put dogs down for way, way less. You are a remarkable person and Sway was so very lucky to have you.
With Love From Pennsylvania
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